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Father Richard Murphy and Holy Cross Catholic Church were honored at the Fourth Annual Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award 2009 Celebration, hosted by the Gifford Youth Activity Center.The award was created by the board of directors of the Gifford Youth Activity Center to acknowledge the contributions of those who have improved lives in the community. The award banquet is the Gifford Youth Activity Center’s major annual fund-raiser. Purchase prints here. Father Murphy and his parishioners have worked with a wide range of organizations throughout the entire county, so it was a diverse group of guests who were on hand to pay tribute. Although Dan K. Richardson was unable to attend, he was well represented by his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Carter Hopkins. Speakers included local attorney John Moore, who spoke affectionately of how Father Murphy had guided him in accomplishing tasks, telling him to “walk before you run” and to “never create a rule that you can’t enforce.” Debbie True, who has continued to work with Father Murphy since initially joining him at St. Joseph in Stuart, noted that the publicity shy Father Murphy is more inclined to action than words. She added that he believes that what he does is a reasonable service, and not something worthy of praise. Congratulatory letters from Governor Charlie Crist, Representatives Bill Posey and Debbie Mayfield and Vero Beach Mayor Sabe Able, and a Proclamation from the Indian River County Commission were read by GYAC Board Chairman Alan Polackwich and GYAC Executive Director Angelia Perry and last year’s co-recipient Ellie McCabe, presented Father Murphy with the award. Perry also presented both Father Murphy and Debbie True with signed copies of the book, Treasure Coast Black Heritage, co-authored by Dr. A. Ronald Hudson. Dr. Hudson, along with Dan K. Richardson and the late Dr. William Nigh has been instrumental in the establishment and development of the Gifford Youth Activity Center.
